A Pulaski County man was injured in a tractor - van collision Tuesday morning on I-94 in Porter County.
Indiana State Police responded at 7:00 am responded to a crash on I-94 westbound. ISP Motor Carrier units reported that a tractor pulling a lawn mower had been struck by a vehicle.
Preliminary investigation shows that a John Deere tractor with a pull-behind mower deck, was traveling eastbound along the north ditch of I-94. The tractor had to stop mowing due to the bridge at the 26.6 mile-marker. The operator of the tractor then drove into the westbound lanes in an attempt to make a U-turn and proceed back westbound along the same north shoulder. However, the driver of the tractor, Harold D. Johns, 68, of Winamac, failed to yield to a 2004 Ford van that was travelling in the right lane. The driver of the van was not able to avoid the tractor in the roadway.
Johns sustained serious injuries and was flown to South Bend Memorial Hospital for treatment.
The driver of the van, Andrew Weston, 27, of Michigan City, was not injured and refused medical treatment at the scene.
Alcohol / drugs are not believed to be a factor in this crash. All the westbound lanes were closed for approximately four hours for crash investigation and scene cleanup.
